Page 34 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

“We’ve been here for a few days now. And I’ve had nae time alone with Boyd. How am I supposed tae mak’ him fall in love with me if we nae even see each other? Is his plan tae choose a bride on looks alone?” Ava asked. Her voice was heavy with frustration and anger.

“That man who is always trailing behind the laird is a handsome one,” Skye said distractedly; she watched the men down in the courtyard, hugging her knees tightly to her chest. “I’m surprised he’s nae married. With those blue eyes and dark hair, he should have a string of lassies behind him. The other maids say he’s nae likely tae wed.”

“Ye are nae even listening tae me,” Ava rolled her eyes and complained. “What’s the use of ye helping me if ye will nae even pay attention?”

“What’s that?” Skye tore her gaze from the men and turned to her friend. “I’m sorry, Ava. Why are ye in such a mood?”

“We’ve been here for a few days and I’m naewhere near getting the laird tae fall in love with me,” she repeated her grievance. “If this drags on any longer, I’ll surely be caught in one of me lies. This act can nae go on forever. Ye saw at the ball how I kept messing up, I was nae cut out for this life.”

Unfolding her legs and swinging them from her seat, Skye stood and walked over to the giant four-poster bed and perched on the edge. “It’s nae been that long Ava, ye need tae give it more time. I heard from the other maids at breakfast this morning that he’s nae even spending time with either of the other two ladies. It’s nae like ye are falling behind. He’s just a strange man, likes tae keep tae himsel’.”

“Then why did he ask us tae stay if he was just going tae ignore us? He could have just seen us once and sent us on our way.”

“I heard that our dear laird is involved with the Jacobite uprising and that the meetings are keeping him very busy. Dinnae fash, Ava. He will come around and ye can get along with the mission. Why nae try and enjoy the time ye have right now? When have ye ever gotten the chance tae just sit and dae naething at all?”

The prospect of completing the mission pricked Ava's conscience. It wasn't enough that she knew Boyd was a good man who'd saved her from being raped. But on the night of the ball, she'd seen a softer side of him. When he mentioned his cousin falling off the horse, there was genuine emotion in his eyes. She was determined to complete the mission and save her brother. But she couldn't stand the thought of killing an innocent man.

“I cannae relax when I dinnae ken what’s happening with Neil. This mission is the only hope I have of getting him back, Skye. There’s nae time tae relax. I need tae come up with a plan and get Boyd tae fall in love with me.” Ava felt like more of a mother to Neil than a sister. Over the years, caring for him became part of her identity that she could not be without.

“I’m sorry, Ava, I ken yer worried about Neil, but I dinnae think they will harm him. If Neil is gone, they have naething left tae hold against ye. It would be foolishness on their part if he comes tae any harm.”

Skye’s reassurance did little to calm her nerves. Logically she knew that the kidnappers would not let him die. But that didn’t mean that he had the emotional and physical care he needed for his illnesses. She shuddered to think where they were keeping him and in what kind of conditions.

“I tell ye what,” Skye said when Ava didn’t respond. “What we need is a plan tae get his attention and lure him intae situations where ye can be alone.”

“I could bump intae him by ‘accident’ on a walk,” Ava suggested hopefully. “Ye’ve been watching his friend close enough, ye should ken their schedules by now,” Ava said sarcastically.

Skye shook her head thoughtfully, ignoring her friend’s slight. Chewing on her bottom lip she mused, “Nae, I dinnae think that will work. Ye need something a little more private, and preferably something that will mak’ him want tae marry ye in a hurry.”

“I could get him tae kiss me again. He was more than willing in the forest.”

“Kissing a lass will nae mak’ a man want tae marry her. Trust me, I ken that very well. Men are all alike,” she waved the idea away with her hand.

Ava placed her forehead on the table again in defeat. Sitting up straight, Skye suddenly perked up. “I have an idea,” she smiled broadly.

“What would that be then?”

“Men are all alike. But nae a noble man. Boyd is the laird. And while kissing a lass will nae likely mak’ him want tae marry her, bedding her will. He will have nae choice but tae pick ye if ye seduce him.”

Ava raised her head and gave her friend a horrified look. “I cannae sleep with him, Skye.”

“And why nae? Are ye saving yersel’ for someone special then?” she asked with her brows raised. “Last time I checked ye were nae looking tae marry anyone else, or am I wrong?”

She has a point… Ava thought. While she was a virgin, it wasn’t like she was saving herself for marriage. Her life consisted of taking care of her brother up until now. What harm would it do to sleep with someone like Boyd Cameron if it meant Neil would be saved? She would at least have the reassurance that her first and probably only time would be with someone as respected as he was.

I am nae noble anyway.

Her mind flashed back to the forest when he’d brushed his lips against hers. She could still smell his skin and feel the damp strands of his hair that had brushed her face. She could feel the heat rising on her body as she recalled the day.

“What did ye have in mind?” she asked her friend after deciding that she’d go ahead with the plan if that’s what it took to save her brother. Her virginity was a price she was willing to pay.

“Ye will need tae seduce him,” Skye repeated as she stood and walked over to the dresser. “A man like Boyd Cameron willnae just come intae yer room,” she leaned against the table with her hip. “He’s too honorable beneath that ruggedly handsome exterior. And the chances of him bedding ye in a place other than yer room, even if it’s a secluded place, are slim tae naething.” she added thoughtfully.

“I’m nae ye, Skye,” Ava worried. “I dinnae ken how tae flirt with a man, let alone seduce one.”

“Ye are a beautiful woman, Ava. Dinnae underestimate yer looks,” Skye paced back and forth for a moment as she tried to think of a plan. “I have it!” she suddenly exclaimed when her eyes fell on the bath in the adjoining room. “He can walk in on ye naked in the tub,” she said triumphantly as if she’d solved the ultimate puzzle.

Ava followed her gaze and looked at the large wooden tub in her dressing room beyond her sleeping quarters. The tub was filled every evening with warm water by the servants. Each lady had one in their own dressing room where they could bathe in complete privacy.